Method and device for continuously joining at least two imbricated flows of flat printed products

ABSTRACT

A method for continuously joining at least two imbricated flows of flat printed products which are conveyed at equal speeds and spaced from one another, the method includes initially offsetting a first imbricated flow of flat printed products relative to a second imbricated flow of flat printed products so as to form a first lateral overlapping area of both imbricated flows, continuously lifting the printed products of both imbricated flows in the first lateral overlapping area until the lateral overlapping is eliminated, and lowering or dropping the printed products of both imbricated flows in the raised lateral overlapping area, so that partially a printed product of the first imbricated or the second imbricated flow comes to rest above the first or second imbricated flows above a printed product of the respectively other imbricated flow, whereby a single imbricated flow with a second overlapping area of the printed products is formed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a method and a device for continuously joiningat least two imbricated flows of flat printed products which aretransported at the same speed and spaced from each other.

2. Description of the Related Art

In rotary offset printing, entire paper webs are printed which arerolled off paper rolls. A rotary offset printing machine is capable ofprinting more than 100,000.00 printed products per hour. In order toachieve this high production number, very often double productions arecarried out. For example, a “16 pages” printing machine is capable ofsimultaneously printing and discharging two equal “8 pages” brochures.Frequently, folding units are connected to the outputs of the printingmachine which fold the printed products and transfer them to a rotaryreceiving unit. From the outputs of such a printing machine or thefolding units following the printing machine, two similar flat printedproducts emerge continuously which are transported from the rotationpick-up through two pick-up lines to further processing, for example astitcher gatherer. The printed products are conveyed through conveyorsystems, for example, conveyor belts, continuously and in the form oftwo so-called imbricated flows, i.e., in flows in which the productpartially overlap each other in the transporting direction.

A disadvantage of the known plants is the fact that for furtherprocessing two pick-up lines must be made available and operated. Thisleads to an increase of the purchasing and maintenance costs.

In order to counteract this problem, the two separate imbricated flowsare joined into a single imbricated flow.

EP 0214458 A2 discloses a method and a device to joining two imbricatedflows which are conveyed next to each other, wherein the two flows arejoined in a common transport plane offset relative to each other and atan acute angle up to the complete intersection, and the flows aredeflected in the area of joining of the products alternatingly from thecommon transport plane.

EP 021445882 discloses an improvement of the above-mentioned solution,in which the deflection device is constructed as at least one non-drivendeflector which has a smooth, camless engagement contour.

WO2008/089565 discloses another method and corresponding device forjoining two imbricated flows of flat printed products. In this case, theprinted products of the two imbricated flows are initially transportedoffset relative to each other in the conveying direction and are in thehorizontal direction transported on separate conveying paths.Subsequently, the printed products are grasped by gripping membersassigned to each imbricated flow of a driven intermediate conveyor andare in the process transported relative to each other and in horizontalalignment on separate conveying paths. Subsequently, the printedproducts are grasped by gripping members assigned to each imbricatedflow of a driven intermediate conveyor and are individualized andbrought into a vertical position. In the spacings between the successiveprinted products of a product flow, the distances in the product floware introduced in the manner of a comb in such a way by means of thegripping members until the printed products of both product flows form asingle product flow from identically aligned product flows. Finally,this product flow is placed on a subsequent path conveyor forming animbricated flow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the prior art, it is the object of the present invention toprovide a method and a device for continuously joining two imbricatedflows of flat printed products which facilitate an adaptation of theimbricated flow gathering to the outputs of modern rotary offsetprinting machines and simultaneously result in a reduction of thepurchasing and maintenance costs during further processing.

In accordance with the present invention, this object is met by a methodfor continuously joining at least two imbricated flows of flat printedproducts and by a device for carrying out such a method.

In the method according to the invention, initially the first of the twoimbricated flows is laterally offset relative to the second imbricatedflow so as to form a first lateral overlapping area of both imbricatedflows. Subsequently, the printed products of both imbricated flows arelifted continuously in the first lateral overlapping until the lateraloverlapping is canceled and the printed products of the two imbricatedflows which previously had been placed one on top of the other areseparated. Finally, the printed products of both imbricated flows are,at least in their raised, lateral overlapping area, successfully loweredor dropped in such a way that alternatively one printed product of thefirst or the second imbricated flow comes to rest partially above theprinted products of the respectfully other imbricated flow, so that asingle imbricated flow is formed with a second lateral overlapping areaof the printed products.

The device according to the present invention for carrying out themethod of the invention comprises two spaced apart input conveyorsspaced apart from each other for transporting one of the two respectiveimbricated flows to a principal conveyor and a spreading device arrangedin the area of the principal conveyor for spreading, i.e., alternatinglyinserting, the printed products of one of the imbricated flows into theprinted products of the other imbricated flow.

The method and the device for carrying out the method provide thepossibility of continuously combining imbricated flows which emerge froma multiple-purpose printing machine, such as the above mentioned “16Page” printing machine and to combine the imbricated flows directly in asingle imbricated flow, so that the flat printed products contained inthis imbricated flow can be further processed without any furtheradaptation steps. As a result of not making it necessary to makeavailable two or more pick-up lines for the imbricated flows, thepurchasing costs for further processing and the costs for maintenanceare reduced.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, itsoperating advantages, specific objects attained by its use, referenceshould be had to descriptive matter in which there are describedpreferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the device accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 2 a is a detailed view of the third component of the lower inputconveyor in a first state of the operation;

FIG. 2 b is a view analogous to FIG. 2 a, however, in a second state ofoperation corresponding to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the pattern of the imbricated flows in thedevice according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the spreading device of the device according tothe present invention, corresponding to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the spreading device;

FIG. 6 shows the gathering of the two imbricated flows of the doubleflow in three steps (6 a, 6 b, 6 c);

FIG. 7 is a top view of the area E of the device according to thepresent .invention, with the spreading device and with a mutual offsetof the imbricated flows in the transport direction;

FIG. 8 is a top view analogous to FIG. 6, however, without a mutualoffsetting of the imbricated flows in the transport direction and withportions of the spreading device which are offset relative to each otherin the transport direction; and

FIG. 9 is a top view of the device for pushing together the flows whichfollows the spreading device as well as the subsequent centering device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the Figures of the drawing, equal reference numerals refer tostructurally or functionally identically acting components.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the device 1according to the present invention for joining two imbricated flows 2 a,2 b of flat printed products 3. The vertically broken lines are shownfor illustration purposes and represent a division of the device 1 intoareas A to G. Upwardly of the device 1 is located an output 4 of anotherwise not illustrated printing machine or of a folding unit, notillustrated in detail, by means of which two conveyor belts 5 a, 5 barranged one above the other, flat printed products 3 in the form of afirst upper imbricated flow 2 a and a second lower imbricated flow 2 bare passed on in a transport direction V respectively to an upper and alower input conveyor 6 a, 6 b of the device 1 constructed as a conveyorbelt. The two input conveyors 6 a, 6 b each comprise several parts 7 a,7 b; 8 a, 8 b; 9 a, 9 b; 10 a, 10 b; 11 which are arranged in the areasA to D of the device 1. In the first area A, the imbricated flows 2 a, 2b are transported through two first parts 7 a, 7 b of the two inputconveyors 6 a, 6 b. Of course, the input conveyors 6 a, 6 b can also beequipped with a greater or smaller number of parts and the supply ofimbricated flows 2 a, 2 b can also take place without first parts 7 a, 7b. In addition, the conveyor belts 5 a, 5 b can be arranged instead ofone above the other, so as to be arranged next to each other or offsetrelative to each other in a lateral position and/or in a verticalposition. Instead of both conveyor belts 5 a, 5 b at the output 4 of asingle printing machine, it is also possible to connect a conveyor belt5 a, 5 b respectively to the output of another printing machine.

In accordance of their further transport path, the imbricated flows 2 a,2 b arrive in a second area B of the device 1 in which a second part 8a, 8 b of the input conveyor 6 a, 6 b, each constructed as a switch, canbe arranged in such a way that the input conveyor can assume twopositions. They are a first position for conveying the imbricated flows2 a, 2 b in the transport direction V and a second position foreliminating waste paper, wherein the respective printed products 3 areconducted, for example, into a waste container, not illustrated. Theposition of the two second parts 8 a, 8 b of the input conveyor 6 a, 6 bwhich is lowered for elimination, is illustrated in broken lines. Theelimination takes place preferably in start-up phases of the precedingprinting process, in order to remove defective printed products 3 untilthe printing machine is adjusted to a correct print. The parts 8 a, 8 bof the input conveyors 6 a, 6 b, however, can be transferred from one ofthe two positions into the other at any time.

Along the further transport path, the imbricated flows 2 a, 2 b arrivein a third part C of the device 1 in which at least one of the two inputconveyors 6 a, 6 b has a third part 9 a, 9 b which is composed of anupper belt 12, and a lower belt 13, as seen in FIGS. 2A and 2 b. Theupper belt 12 traveling around a number of deflection rollers 12 a aredriven through a drive roller 12 b and additionally has a tighteningroll 12 c. The lower belt 13 is also provided with a number ofdeflection rollers 13 a, a drive roller 13 b as well as a tighteningroller 13 c. In addition, it has a roll segment 13 e which is verticallyadjustably fastened to a guide element 13 d which can be moved by meansof an adjusting device, not shown, from a first position illustrated inFIG. 2 a, into a second position which is shown in FIG. 2 b. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, merely the third part 9 b of the lowerinput conveyor 6 b is similarly constructed. Through an appropriateactuation of the adjusting device, a direct or delayed further transportof the respective imbricated flows 2 a, 2 b can be effected and, thus,an offset 14, seen in FIG. 7, between the product backs of the printedproducts 3 of the two imbricated flows 2 a, 2 b can be adjusted in thetransport direction V. The length of the transport path of the flatprinted product 3 extending between the upper belt 12 and the lower belt13 can be varied, so that the length of the transport path extendingbetween the upper belt 1 and the lower belt 13 can be adjusted and,thus, the offset 14 can be varied as desired. The maximum delay of thelower imbricated flow 2 b takes place in the maximum deflected positionof the lower belt 13 as illustrated in FIG. 2 b, which has as a resultthe greatest offset 14 of the two imbricated flows 2 a, 2 b. Of course,it is also possible to construct the upper third part 9 acorrespondingly. Also, both third parts 9 a, 9 b can be provided withsuch extension possibilities for the transport path. For this purpose,alternatively also other elements can be used, for example, delaymembers composed of articulated pieces which are coupled to each other.

The imbricated flows 2 a, 2 b subsequently arrive in a fourth part D ofthe device 1 in which a respectively fourth part 10 a, 10 b of the inputconveyor 6 a, 6 b is arranged. These parts 10 a, 10 b deflect thetransport direction V at least of one of the two input conveyors 6 a, 6b. Downstream end portions of the input conveyors 6 a, 6 b, in otherwords, the downstream ends of the fourth parts 10 a, 10 b, areconstructed in such away that they arrive essentially in a planefollowing the input conveyor 6 a, 6 b of a principal conveyor 15 alsoconstructed as a conveyor belt, and at one of the input conveyors 6 a, 6b, i.e., one of the fourth parts 10 a, 10 b, extends at a predetermineddistance from the point of joining the other input conveyors 6 a, 6 b,i.e., with the other part 10 b, 10 a laterally offset relative to thelatter, as seen in FIG. 3. In a preferred configuration of the device 1,only the fourth part 10 a of the upper input conveyor 6 a is laterallypivotable, while the fourth part 10 b of the lower input conveyor 6 bpreferably already is aligned directly to the principal conveyor 15. Inanother embodiment, not illustrated, the fourth part 10 b oralternatively both fourth parts 10 a, 10 b, are constructed so as to belaterally pivotable.

The lateral pivoting of the fourth part 10, in other words an offsettingof the downstream ends thereof transversely of the transport direction Vtakes place by means of a joint 10 c arranged downstream of a third part9 a, wherein the part 10 a is fastened to the joint 10 c. By laterallypivoting the fourth part 10 a, the printed products 3 of the upperimbricated flow 2 a are laterally offset relative to those of the lowerimbricated flow 2 b transversely of the transport direction V, so that afirst lateral overlapping area d1 is created, as seen in FIG. 7, inwhich the two imbricated flows 2 a, 2 b overlap each other in theirborder areas. In addition, the lateral pivoting of the fourth part 10 aalso influences the offset 14 in the transport direction V which must betaken into consideration in the already described adjustment in the areaC of the device 1. The offset 14 is thus adjusted in dependence of thewidth of the intended first lateral overlapping area dl of the twoimbricated flows 2 a, 2 b.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the fourth part 10 b of the lowerinput conveyor 6 b and the laterally pivotable fourth part 10 a of theupper input conveyor 6 a transfer the imbricated flows 2 b, 2 a to afifth and last common part 11 of the input conveyors 6 a, 6 b which, inturn, transfers a double imbricated flow 16 a obtained as a result tothe principal conveyor 15. On its further transport path, the doubleimbricated flow 16 a meets with a spreading device 17 located in a fiftharea E of the device 1. In another embodiment, not illustrated, thefourth part 10 b and the pivotable fourth part 10 a transfer theimbricated flows 2 a, 2 b directly to the principal conveyor 15.

The spreading device 17 is preferably constructed as a spreading plow 18or comprises such a spreading plow 18 by means of which the printedproducts 3 of the upper imbricated flow 2 a can be separated from theprinted products 3 of the lower imbricated flow 2 b. The separationrefers to a partial procedure of the joining process, in which theprinted products 3 of the two imbricated flows 2 a, 2 b located one ontop of the other of the double imbricated flow 16 a are moved upright atleast in their overlapping area d1 and the two imbricated flows 2 a, 2 bcan thus be separated from each other. By dropping the printed products3 downstream of the spreading plow 18 onto the principal conveyor 15,the printed products 3 are then joined together into a single imbricatedflow 16 b in such a way that a second overlapping area d2 with itsborder area of overlapping printed products 3 is formed. Alternatively,for dropping the printed products 3, they can also be lowered onto theprincipal conveyor 15.

On both sides of the spreading plow 18 is provided a first pressureelement 19 a, preferably a pressure roller, which is constructed in sucha way that it presses the printed products 3 of the previous imbricatedflows 2 a, 2 b which were separated by the spreading plow 18 duringfalling down still against side surfaces 18 a of the spreading plow 18,as seen in FIG. 4, which facilitates the formation of the imbricatedflow 16 b.

In the fifth area E of the device 1 according to the present inventionillustrated in more detail in FIG. 4, stabilizing elements for acontrolled transport of the pressure products 3 of the two imbricatedflows 2 a, 2 b of the double imbricated flow 16 a during the joining toa single imbricated flow 16 b are provided whose purpose it is toprevent sliding of the printed products 3, particularly when beinglifted by the spreading plow 18 and the subsequent dropping onto theprincipal conveyor 15. The stabilizing elements include, for example,guide elements 15 a, 15 b constructed as hoses, pipes, carriages and/orrollers and second pressure elements 19 b constructed, for example, asupper belts, chain links and/or load application rollers. As shown inFIG. 3, preferably at least two first guide elements 15 a are arrangedlaterally and upstream of the spreading plow 18 and two second guideelements 15 b are arranged laterally and downstream of the spreadingplow 18, as well as two second pressing elements 19 b arranged laterallyof the spreading plow 18 and above the principal conveyor 15. The firstand second guide elements 15 a, 15 b are arranged transversely of thetransport direction V and are adjustable relative to each othertransversely of the transport direction V at a distance relative to eachother. The two second pressure elements 19 b are constructed in such away that they press the printed products 3 against the principalconveyor 15.

In a sixth area F of the device 1 according to the present invention,the principal conveyor 15 transfers the imbricated flow 16 b to a firsttransfer conveyor 21 a which is also constructed as a conveyor belt,wherein a safe guidance of the printed products 3 by means of a thirdpressure element 19 c in the transfer area above the principal conveyor15 and the first transfer conveyor 21 a, and by means of a thirdpressure element 19 c constructed as pressure rollers, as shown in FIG.9. Using the first transfer conveyor 21 a, the imbricated flow 16 b isconducted further to a pushing together device 22. This device 22includes guide elements 22 a arranged on both sides of the firsttransfer conveyor 21 a, which extend from outside toward inside, areconstructed as clamping belt conveyors with two guide elements 22 a eacharranged above conveyor belts. The guide elements 22 a are constructedin such a way that they cause a displacement of the printed products 3of the two previous imbricated flows 2 a, 2 b each in the direction ofthe center of the imbricated flow 16 b. In FIG. 7, this displacement isillustrated as an example with the aid of the printed product 3 of theprevious imbricated flow 2 b, i.e., for reasons of clarity only one halfof the imbricated flow 16 b is shown. After the displacement,overlapping area d2 (FIG. 7) already formed in the fifth area E of thedevice 1, i.e., when the printed products 3 are dropped down, after thespreading plow 18, corresponds essentially to the width of therespective printed product 3. In other words, the pushing togetherdevice 22 reduces the width of the imbricated flow 16 b and transfers toa subsequent centering device 23 an imbricated flow 16 c whichessentially completely overlaps.

In the lower area of FIG. 9, a number of two guide elements 22 a whichare arranged above each other and form clamping belt conveyors areillustrated. Instead of always two such guide elements 22 a arranged onboth sides, it is also possible to arrange always several rows ofclamping belt conveyors next to each other, as illustrated in the upperportion of FIG. 9 for two such rows. Moreover, the pushing togetherdevice 22 has downstream of the guide element 22 a a second transferconveyor 21 b as well as pressure elements 22 b arranged above theconveyor 21 b and constructed as rollers, wherein the rollers guide theimbricated flow 16 c during the transfer to the centering device 23.

The centering device 23 has on both sides an adjustable centeringelement 23 a each, whose spacing can be adjusted through an onlyschematically illustrated adjusting device 23 b corresponding to thewidth of the printed products 3. In this manner, the printed products 3following each other in the imbricated flow 16 c can be aligned finallyafter the pushing together device 22, so that the imbricated flow 16 calways has a uniform width after the centering device 23. On its waythrough the centering device 23, the imbricated flow 16 c is conveyed bymeans of transport belts 23 c and is conducted further by the belts 23 bto a subsequent seventh area G of the device 1. Of course, centering canalso be achieved with other suitable devices.

In the seventh area G of the device 1, a testing device 24 is arrangedwith a transport belt 24 a, a flow sensor 24 b, a switching device 24 cconstructed as a discharge switch, as well as a display 24 d. In thearea G, a quality control of the imbricated flow 16 c is carried out bymeans of the flow sensor 24 b, so that incorrect printed products 3 canbe discharged through the discharge device 24 c into a waste papercontainer, not shown. The printed products 3 of the imbricated flow 16 cconsidered acceptable finally reach through the display 24 d a furtherprocessing device 25 which is not illustrated and follows the device 1.Of course, the quality control can also be omitted, i.e., the device 1is equipped either with an area F or the latter is at least temporarilydeactivated. FIG. 3 shows a top view of the pattern of the imbricatedflows 2 a, 2 b, of the double imbricated flow 16 a as well as theimbricated flow 16 b and 16 c. The conveyor belts 5 a, 5 b, the inputconveyors 6 a, 6 b with their parts 7 a, 7 b; 8 a, 8 b; 9 a, 9 b; 10 a,10 b and 11 as well as the principal conveyor 15 and the conveyors ofthe pushing together device 22, the centering device 23 and the testingdevice 24 are for simplicity's sake only indicated in the lower area ofFIG. 3. Components of the device 1 not relevant for the device 1 are notillustrated in this Figure. The areas A through G correspond to the areaillustrated in FIG. 1. In the areas A through C, the first, upper andthe second, lower imbricated flow 2 a, 2 b travel above each other sothat the latter is not visible in these areas of FIG. 3. In the fourtharea D, the upper imbricated flow 2 a is deflected so as to be laterallyoffset, i.e., its printed products 3 have at the downstream end of thearea D the first overlapping area dl transversely of the transportdirection V which was already mentioned. As described with respect toFIG. 1, this is realized preferably by the lateral pivoting of thefourth part 10 a of the upper input conveyor 6 a by means of the joint10 c. In the fifth area E or when using the part 11 of the inputconveyor 6 a, 6 b at the end of the fourth area D, the double imbricatedflow 16 a is achieved by placing the upper imbricated flow laterallyoffset on the lower imbricated flow 2 b. it is to be noted in thisrespect that the two input conveyors 6 a, 6 b have the same speed.

As already mentioned in connection with FIG. 1, the double imbricatedflow 16 a composed of the two individual imbricated flows 2 a, 2 b istransported in the fifth area E to the spreading device 17 and istransferred by means of the spreading plow 18, the guide elements 15 a,15 b, the second and first pressure elements 19 b, 19 a into the singleimbricated flow 16 b. In the sixth area F, subsequently the width of theimbricated flow 16 b through the pushing together device 22 and thesubsequent centering device 23 are continuously reduced to such anextent that the second overlapping area d2 illustrated in FIG. 7corresponds to the width of the printed products 3. This results in asingle imbricated flow 16 c of printed products 3 which completely covereach other and which can subsequently be further processed.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the spreading plow 18 and the principalconveyor 15. The section A-A, B-B and C-C will in the following bedescribed in connection with FIG. 5. In the area of the section A-A, thedouble imbricated flow 16 a is moved in the direction to the spreadingplow 18. The printed products 3 of the previously upper and lowerimbricated flows 2 a, 2 b, of which in the area of the spreading plow 18only the previously lower imbricated flow 2 b is visible, the printedproducts 3 are increasingly moved to be upright along the side surfaces18 a as well as the upper edge 18 b of the spreading plow 18, and are inthis manner separated form each other in their previous firstoverlapping area d1. In other words, the printed products 3 are liftedbeginning with their inner edges 26. The two first guide elements 15remain essentially in contact with the spreading plow 18 when thepreviously overlapping areas of the printed products 3 and when theremaining areas of the printed products 3 are lifted, the products areessentially in contact with the principal conveyor 15, so that asufficient friction of the printed products 3 with the spreading plow 18or the principal conveyor 15 is ensured. This prevents the printedproducts 3 from sliding laterally away and, in addition, ensures thecontrolled moving into the upright position. In an area downstream ofthe spreading plow 18, the printed products 3 of the previously upperimbricated flow 2 a are already separated from the printed products 3 ofthe previously lower imbricated flow 2 b.

After this separation, the printed products 3 once again drop onto theprincipal conveyor 15, as seen in FIG. 4 (position of section B-B) andare subsequently transported in the direction of the pushing togetherdevice 22 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 9. Arranged in both sides of thespreading plow 18, is arranged a first pressure element 19 a which ispreferably constructed as a pressure roll and which is equipped in sucha way that it presses when dropping onto the principal conveyor 15 inthe direction of the spreading plow 18. The first pressure elements 19 aare arranged laterally next to the downstream area of the spreading plow18, in order not to impair the movement into upright of the printedproducts 3 which begins at the inner edges 26. As a result of thisarrangement, the first pressure elements 19 a advantageously preventprinted products 3 from dropping uncontrolled after separation onto theprincipal conveyor 15 and prevent the flow of the imbricated flow 16 bcreated downstream of the spreading plow 18 from becoming irregular.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, laterally and downstream ofthe spreading plow 18, i.e., in the area where the printed products 3drop, the two second guide elements 15 b follow. These press the printedproducts 3. against the principal conveyor 15 and ensure as a resultthat the air cushion provided between the dropping printed products 3and the principal conveyor 15 is relatively overcome. In this manner, itis ensured that the printed products 3 are placed in an orderly manneron the principal conveyor 15. As described in connection with FIG. 1,the dropping of the printed products 3 additionally stabilizes thesecond pressure element 19 b.

FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of the spreading device 17constructed as a spreading plow 18 or including such a spreading plow.For this purpose, the spreading plow 18 has the form of two pyramids 20with its three side surfaces 20 a, 20 b, 20 c and a base surface 20 d.The pyramids 20 are each arranged with a first side surface 20 a in theplane of the principal conveyor 15, not shown. They each have an edge 20f which extends between the second and third side surfaces 20 b, 20 c ofeach pyramid 20 in an adjustable angle a relative to the transportdirection V, wherein the respective base surface 20 d extendstransversely of the transport direction V. The edges 20 f extend againstthe transport direction V into a common tip 20 e. The pyramids 20 areconstructed in such a way that the edges 20 f have an adjustableinclination β. In this connection, the side surfaces 18 a of thespreading plow 18 correspond to the second side surfaces 20 b of thepyramids 20 and the upper edges 18 b of the spreading plow 18 correspondto the edges 20 f of the pyramids 20. Of course, the spreading plow 18may also include more or less than two pyramids 20.

The adjustable angle a and the adjustable inclination β have the effectthat the shape of the spreading plow 18 can be adjusted in dependence onthe format of the printed products 3 of the upper and lower imbricatedflows 2 a, 2 b in such way that a regular imbricated flow 16 b iscreated. In dependence on the shape of the spreading plow 18, theposition of the first pressure element 19 a described in connection withFIG. 1 is also adjustable transversely of the transport direction V andvertically.

The spreading plow 18 is, however, not limited to the forms describedabove. Within the scope of the claimed features of the invention, aplurality of other form's are conceivable, for example, the form of asingle pyramid or also guide elements which have guide surfaces thatcorrespond to the second side surfaces 20 b of the pyramids 20 or theside surfaces 18 a of the spreading plow 18. Of course, these guidesurfaces can also be equipped with curved surfaces.

FIGS. 6 a, 6 b and 6 c show three steps for joining the imbricated flows28 a, 28 b which correspond to the sections A-A, B-B and C-C. Thetransport direction V is directed toward the observer. While thepressure elements arranged on both sides of the spreading plow 18, i.e.,the first pressure elements 19 a, as well as the adjustable constructedsecond pressure elements 19 b are illustrated, for clarity's sake, theillustration of the two guide elements 15 a, 15 b was omitted.

FIG. 6 shows the double imbricated flow 16 a with first upper imbricatedflow 2 a and a second lower imbricated flow 2 b prior to theirseparation or prior to the separation of the corresponding printedproducts 3. In this connection, the upper imbricated flow 2 a rests inthe transport direction V over its entire length on the lower imbricatedflow 2 b. Prior to forming this double imbricated flow 16 a, thepivotable part 10 a of the upper principal conveyor 15 adjusts the firstoverlapping area dl of the double imbricated flow 16 a. Because of theconfiguration of the usual further processing machines, this doubleimbricated flow 16 a cannot be further processed.

FIG. 6 b shows the position of a first printed product 3 a of the upperimbricated flow 2 a and of a first printed product 3 b of the lowerimbricated flow 2 b in the state where they are separated from eachother. The two printed products 3 a, 3 b are prior to their separationlifted by the spreading plow 18, here illustrated in the form of twopyramids 20, essentially in the middle of the first overlapping area dland the printed products are partially placed on the second sidesurfaces 20 b of the pyramids 20 located on their other side surfaces 20a. The first pressure elements 19 a advantageously ensure an exactguidance of the separated printed products 3 a, 3 b by pressing theproducts in the downstream area of the spreading plow 18 in thedirection toward the second side surfaces 20 b of the pyramids 20.

FIG. 6 c shows the position of the first printed products 3 a, 3 b ofthe previous upper and lower imbricated flows 2 a, 2 b downstream of thespreading plow 18. After passing the base surfaces 20 d of the pyramids20, i.e., the downstream end of the spreading plow 18, the first printedproducts 3 a, 3 b drop controlled by the first pressure element 19 aonto the principal conveyor 15, wherein they overlap each other in asecond overlapping area d2 which, with respect to its width, essentiallycorresponds to the first overlapping area d1. This is followed byadditional printed products 3 c or 3 d of the previously upper and lowerimbricated flows 2 a, 2 b which in FIG. 6 are also illustrated in aseparated position. The first printed products 3 a, 3 b are part of theimbricated flow 16 b, which differs from the double imbricated flow 16 aby the fact that the printed product 3 a of the previously upperimbricated flow 2 a is placed on the printed product 3 b of thepreviously lower imbricated flow 2 b, such that trailing printed product3 d of the previously lower imbricated flow 2 b comes to rest on theprinted product 3 a and the subsequent printed product 3 c of thepreviously upper imbricated flow 2 a, etc., so that alternatingly aprinted product 3 of the upper or the lower imbricated flow 2 a, 2 b isplaced partially on a printed product 3 of the respectively otherimbricated flow 2 b, 2 a, as seen in FIG. 7. Independently of theconcrete embodiment, after guiding together the imbricated flows, alwaysthe printed product 3 which leads in the transport direction V is placedunder the printed product 3 which follows in the transport direction V.In contrast, in the double imbricated flow 16 a always the upperimbricated flow 2 a is placed on the lower imbricated flow 2 b.

FIG. 7 shows in a top view the area E of the device 1 according to thepresent invention, with the joining device 17 and the offset 14 of theprinted products 3 of the imbricated flow 2 a to the printed products 3of the imbricated flow 2 b in the transporting direction V. The doubleimbricated flow 16 a is supplied to the spreading plow 18 in thetransport direction V and is transferred into the imbricated flow 16 bby means of the plow 18. The width of the second overlapping area d2 ispreferably essentially the same as the width of the first overlappingarea dl. FIG. 7 illustrates also the position of the first pressureelements 16 a on both sides of the spreading plow 18 and the downstreamarea thereof.

The upper and lower imbricated flows 2 a, 2 b have already been offsetrelative to each other previously by means of the part 9 of the lowerinput conveyor 6 b illustrated in detail in FIGS. 2 a, 2 b, and wereoffset relative to each other by the offset 14 by means of the pivotablefourth part 10 a of the upper input conveyor 6 a in the transportdirection V, as illustrated in FIG. 1, while the first lateraloverlapping area dl also was adjusted by means of the fourth part 10 a.The offset 14 of the two imbricated flows 2 a, 2 b in the transportdirection V is in accordance with FIG. 7 greater than zero. Itpreferably corresponds to half a spacing 27 of two successive printedproducts 3 with one of the two imbricated flows 2 a, 2 b upstream of thespreading plow 18. The offset 14 can be adjusted as desired by means ofthe upper belt 12 and the lower belt 13 of the third part 9 b of thelower input conveyor 6 b, and it can also be equal to zero. This case isdescribed in the following in connection with FIG. 8.

As soon as the printed products 3 have reached the tip 20 e of thepyramids 20 of the spreading plow 18 arranged essentially in the middleof the first overlapping area d1, the printed products 3 arecontinuously positioned upright beginning with their inner edges 26.This is illustrated in FIG. 7 in connection with the example of theupper imbricated flow 2 a for the inner edges 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d.The inner edge 26 d of a printed product 3 of the upper imbricated flow2 a is no longer in contact with a printed product 3 of the lowerimbricated flow 2 b. The first guide elements 15 a are preferablyarranged laterally and the second guide elements 15 b are arrangeddownstream of the spreading plow 18.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of an alternative construction of the area E ofthe device 1 according to the invention, wherein the spreading device 17does not produce any offset 14 between the printed products 3 of theupper and lower imbricated flows 2 a, 2 b. In order to still produce adefined sequence of the dropping of the printed products 3 downstream ofa spreading plow 18 and, thus, to produce a single imbricated flow 16 b,in which the leading printed product 3 in the transport direction V isplaced underneath the trailing product 3 in the transport direction, thetwo pyramids 20 of the spreading plow 18 have differently long sidesurfaces 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, wherein only the side surfaces 20 b areillustrated in FIG. 8. Consequently, also in the imbricated flow 16 bformed in this manner alternatingly a printed product 3 of the upper orthe lower imbricated flows 2 a, 2 b rests partially on a printed product3 of the respectively other imbricated flow 2 b, 2 a. In order to makeit possible that the printed products 3 even if the spreading plow 18 isconstructed in this manner, the first pressure element 19 a, the firstguide element 15 a and the second guide element 15 b are appropriatelyadjusted, i.e., are offset relative to each other in the transportdirection V. The double imbricated flow 16 a which has been formedwithout offset 14 is conveyed analogously to the double imbricated flow16 a shown in FIG. 7 to the spreading plow 18 and is conveyed by thelatter into a single imbricated flow 16 b. The width of the secondoverlapping area d2 is also in this alternative solution preferablyessentially equal to the width of the first overlapping area d1.

The advantages of the method and the device 1 according to the presentinvention reside in that an adaptation of the rotation pickup to theoutput located usually one above the other of a rotary offset printingmachine and the purchasing costs for an additional further processingline can be saved which otherwise would be necessary for ensuring aparallel processing of the printed products 3 of the upper and the lowerimbricated flows 2 a, 2 b. Accordingly, the costs for maintaining twoprocessing lines can thus be significantly reduced. In addition, priorto joining the two imbricated flows 2 a, 2 b in the area B of the device1 spoiled products are individually taken out of the flow which resultsin a cost reduction.

Although the device 1 has above been described in connection withconveying systems consisting of conveyor belts, it is of course possiblewithin the scope of the invention to use other conveying systems, forexample, gripper transporters. Also, a combination of differentconveying systems is possible. For example, the areas A through D of thedevice 1 can be equipped with gripping transporters and the subsequentareas E through G with conveyor belts.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will beunderstood that the invention may be embodied otherwise withoutdeparting from such principles.

1. A method for continuously joining at least two imbricated flows offlat printed products which are conveyed at equal speeds and spaced fromone another, comprising initially offsetting a first imbricated flow offlat printed products relative to a second imbricated flow of flatprinted products so as to form a first lateral overlapping area of bothimbricated flows, continuously lifting the printed products of bothimbricated flows in the first lateral overlapping area until the lateraloverlapping is eliminated, and lowering or dropping the printed productsof both imbricated flows in the raised lateral overlapping area, so thatpartially a printed product of the first imbricated flow or the secondimbricated flow comes to rest above the first or second imbricated flowsabove a printed product of the respectively other imbricated flow,wherein a single imbricated flow with a second overlapping area of theprinted products is formed.
 2. The method according to claim 1,comprising initially placing on the second imbricated flow a secondimbricated flow so as to form a double imbricated flow with the firstlateral overlapping flow, subsequently lifting at least in the firstlateral overlapping area continuously the printed products until theyare separated from each other in the first lateral overlapping area, andlowering the printed products of both imbricated flows at least in theirlifted lateral overlapping area successively and lowering the printedproducts of both imbricated flows at least in the lateral overlappingarea thereof, and finally successively lowering or dropping the printedproducts of both imbricated flows successively, so that alternatingly aprinted product of the first or of the second imbricated flows come torest on a printed product of the respectively other imbricated flow, andthereby a single imbricated flow is formed with the second lateraloverlapping area of the printed products.
 3. The method according toclaim 1, comprising lifting the printed products essentially in a middleof the first lateral overlapping area.
 4. The method according to claim1, comprising shifting the two imbricated flows prior to forming thefirst lateral overlapping area by a predetermined offset in a transportdirection relative to each other.
 5. The method according to claim 4,wherein the offset of the two imbricated flows is adjustable andcorresponds to half of a spacing of two successive printed products inthe transport direction within one of the two imbricated flows.
 6. Themethod according to claim 4, comprising adjusting the offset independence on an intended first lateral overlapping area of the twoimbricated flows.
 7. The method according to claim 1, comprising liftingthe printed products of both imbricated flows by means of a spreadingdevice, and lowering or dropping the flows downstream of the spreadingdevice onto a principal conveyor, wherein the printed products areprinted prior to lowering or dropping onto the principal conveyor arepressed laterally against the spreading device by the first pressureelements.
 8. The method according to claim 1, comprising pressingagainst the principal conveyor the printed products during lifting bymeans of at least two guide elements, during lowering or dropping, by atleast two second guide elements, and during the transport thereof on theprincipal conveyor by means of two pressure elements arranged laterallyof the spreading device and above the principal conveyor.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 1, comprising reducing continuously the width of theimbricated flow until the second lateral overlapping area and animbricated flow of uniform width is created.
 10. The method according toclaim 9, comprising subjecting the imbricated flow to a quality test andeliminating printed products with insufficient quality out of theimbricated flow.
 11. A device for carrying out a method according toclaim 1, comprising two input conveyors arranged at a distance from eachother for transporting an imbricated flow of printed products to aprincipal conveyor and a spreading device arranged in the area of theprincipal conveyor for spreading the printed products of one of theimbricated flows into the printed products of the other imbricated flow.12. The device according to claim 11, comprising end portions of theinput conveyors having a configuration such that they essentially arriveoffset relative to each other in a plane of the principal conveyor, andwherein one of the input conveyors operates at a predetermined distancein front of the joining of the other input conveyor.
 13. The deviceaccording to claim 12, wherein at least one of the input conveyors has apart for producing an offset of the imbricated flows in the transportdirection.
 14. The device according to claim 13, wherein one of theinput conveyors has a pivotable part by means of a joint transversely ofthe transport direction, so that the desired width of the first lateraloverlapping area of the imbricated flows results.
 15. The deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein the spreading device has a spreading plowor is constructed as a spreading plow, which has the shape of twopyramids with at least three side surfaces and a base surface, whereinpyramids are arranged with a first side surface in the plane of theprincipal conveyor, and a respective edge which extends between a firstand a second side surface of each pyramid in an adjustable anglerelative to the transport direction, wherein the respective base surfaceis arranged transversely of the transport direction, and wherein theedges of the pyramids come together in a common peak against thetransport direction.
 16. The device according to claim 15, wherein thepyramids are constructed in such away that the edges have an adjustableinclination.
 17. The device according to claim 11, wherein on both sidesof the spreading device is arranged a first pressure element andconstructed as pressure rollers, wherein the pressure rollers press theprinted products when dropping onto the principal conveyor transverselyof the transport direction against side surfaces of the spreading deviceor against the second side surfaces of the pyramids.
 18. The deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein always at least two first and/or at leasttwo second guide elements are arranged upstream and/or downstream andlaterally of the spreading device.
 19. The device according to claim 18,wherein the first and second guide elements are adjustable transverselyof the transport direction and/or at a distance form each other in thetransport direction.
 20. The device according to claim 11, wherein twosecond pressure elements are arranged in the transport directionlaterally of the spreading device and above the principal conveyor,wherein the pressure elements are constructed such that they press theprinted products against the principal conveyor.
 21. The deviceaccording to claim 11, comprising a pushing together device arrangeddownstream of the spreading device, wherein the pushing together devicecomprises for producing a single imbricated flow on each side of theprincipal conveyor at least one guide element for effecting a shiftingof the printed products in the direction of the center of the imbricatedflow, so that the second lateral overlapping area after the displacementof the printed products corresponds to the width of the printedproducts.
 22. The device according to claim 21, wherein downstream ofthe pushing together device is arranged a centering device.
 23. Thedevice according to claim 21, comprising a testing device with adischarge device, particularly a discharge switch, arranged downstreamof the pushing together device or the centering device.